Local Aquanaut swimmers participate in national Paralympic trials

WARNER ROBINS – Local swimmers from the Warner Robins Aquanauts competed at the U.S. Paralympic trials from June 27 to June 29. William Rankine and Vica Beelner competed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Warner Robins Aquanauts Head Coach Wes Hamborg said both had a great experience.

Rankine graduated from Houston County High School and currently attends Grove City College. He participated in multiple events during the trials; his schedule throughout the three days included the 100 meter breaststroke and backstroke, 100 meter freestyle and concluded with the 100 meter butterfly and 50 meter freestyle events.

Beelner is a student at Emmanuel College and also had a very busy schedule. She competed in the 50 meter butterfly, the 50 meter backstroke and the 200 meter individual medley. 

Both swimmers have been training in the Tommy Stalnaker Aquatic Center, under the guidance of coaches and support from the community. Both swimmers represented Warner Robins well in the competition and received many recognitions and awards. 

Hamborg said Rankine made the standard to be on the U.S. Paralympic National team, a big accomplishment. He said swimmers can be on the national team without being on the Olympic team and Rankine met the C standard.

In the competition, Beelner participated in three races and received medals in every race. Hamborg said she was happy and excited she won in her races and was recognized for her hard work, especially in a unique classification. 

Hamborg shares for him it was a unique experience. Rankine has had a similar experience since he competed in Chile at the Pan American Games.

“It kind of had that large sporting event feel. That’s a really unique thing,” he said.

Hamborg shared he and Rankine participated in the Paralympics before, but it was drastically different due to COVID-19 restrictions in place. Post-pandemic, there were spectators allowed and this was the first competition they experienced where they had a bigger audience. 

“There were roaring crowds and screaming fans. It was a pretty neat experience,” he said.

The Paralympic swimming competition is open to athletes with physical disabilities such as dwarfism, amputation/limb loss, visual impairment, wheelchair use, cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke and cognitive impairment.

Hamborg said the competition was broken into classifications. The categories S1-S10 were for physical impairments. According to Hamborg, S1 would be the highest level and S10 was the least physical impairment meaning it could be a swimmer with lack of ability in one limb. 

Beelner competed in the S5 category which puts her in the middle. There were also three classifications of visual impairment which were S11 to S13. Hamborg said S11 was for swimmers who wear blackout goggles to guarantee there’s a fair competition. 

Rankine competed in the S12 category for those with a severe visual impairment. The next classification is S13 which is for those who are also legally blind. There is also an S14 category for those with an intellectual impairment.

When they are in the competition, swimmers compete among other division. All compete together, but Rankine was vying for the top spot in his classification.

Hamborg said it was an honor to be a part of the athletes’ journey. 

“I have been a part of getting these athletes to this point to where they can compete and have the potential to represent our country but also even in competing at this level to represent our hometown and our community that has supported them. It’s really special to be a part of that and see these young athletes be offered the opportunity to have such a neat experience,” he said. 

As a Coach, Hamborg is proud of the athletes’ effort, and he thinks they did a great job representing the International City.

“I’m proud of them and I look forward to where this Paralympic swimming sport takes them in the future,” he said.